Farm and Ranch Cleanup Grant

To help clean up illegal disposal sites on farm and ranch property, the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) has a Farm and Ranch Solid Waste Cleanup and Abatement Grant Program. This grant can help you clean up solid waste that others have dumped on your property. In Alameda County, interested farm and ranch landowners can apply through the Alameda County Resource Conservation District. We will visit your site, and if the project is eligible, we can work with you to put together an application.  Applications are accepted several times a year.  A site may be eligible for funding if all of the following criteria are met:

• The site is zoned or otherwise authorized for agricultural use, and is used or could be used for rangeland or agricultural activities
• Unauthorized solid waste disposal has occurred and is a nuisance or threat to public health and safety or the environment
• The responsible party cannot be identified, located, or pay for timely and proper remediation

For more information on the grant and eligibility requirements, visit http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/LEA/grantsloans/farmranch/

To apply, please contact the Alameda County Resource Conservation District:

Pete Van Hoorn
(925) 371-0154 x103

Morpheus Anima
(925) 371-0154 x105

Making Rangeland Stewardship Work for Ranchers, Agencies & the Land

Wednesday, May 23rd 2012
2:30 - 7:30 PM, Castro Valley Library

Grazing is increasingly recognized as an important tool to manage natural resources and improve habitat in the undeveloped hills and valleys surrounding the Bay Area. Grazing leases on public lands, mitigation banks and land trusts can be a win-win arrangement for the land owner and tenant. This workshop will include discussions with land managers, experienced tenants, and beginning ranchers on the opportunities and constraints of grazing for conservation. The workshop will begin with an overview of rangeland stewardship in the Alameda Creek Watershed and the East Bay, and how grazing leases can help achieve conservation goals. After a break for dinner (provided), we will go into more depth on good lease arrangements and some of the resources available to local ranchers. Attendees are welcome to attend one or both sessions as their time and interest allows. Space and food are limited - please RSVP by Friday, May 18th to Amy Evans. $10 donation suggested to help cover workshop expenses.

Agenda
 
Registration 2:30-3PM
 
Afternoon Session 3 to 5 PM
- Overview of Alameda Creek Watershed rangelands
- "Private and Public Lands: Working Landscapes Working Together", Lynn Huntsinger, UC Berkeley
- "Grazing at the East Bay Municipal Utilities District", Rod Tripp, EBMUD
- "Wildlife Habitat on East Bay Rangelands", Jackie Charbonneau, Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Panel discussion, "Meeting the Landowner's Goals and The Tenant's Needs"
 
Dinner 5:15-6:00
 
Evening Session 6:00-7:30 PM
- "Lease Policies and Strategies for Grazing Conservation Lands", Sheila Barry, UC Cooperative Extension
- "Tools and Resources for Ranchers", Alyson Aquino, NRCS
- Panel discussion, "Making Leases Work for the Next Generation of Ranchers"
 
 

This workshop is funded in part by a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Grant from the USDA National Institute of Food & Agriculture, and by the Alameda County Unincorporated Area Clean Water Program